Trio jailed for being members of Wiltshire paedophile ring

A Chippenham man and two other people have been jailed for being members of a paedophile ring that used a remote farm to abuse victims.

Simon Christopher Collins, 58, of Chippenham, was jailed at Reading Crown Court today for seven-and-a-half years yesterday for arranging the commission of a child sex offence, aiding or abetting a woman to allow bestiality, making indecent images and possessing extreme pornography.

John Connolly, 42, was given 20 years for raping a child under 13 and the possession and distribution of indecent images of children and Joanne Gale, 36, received 14 years for aiding and abetting child rape and the same indecent images offences. Both are from Warrington in Cheshire.

They are the latest three members of the paedophile ring to receive prison sentences after a Scotland Yard investigation.

Four men have already been jailed indefinitely for public protection - Simon Wyn-Davies, from Windsor in Berkshire; retired farmer Nicholas Cordery from Wiltshire; charity worker Peter Malpas, from Moulton, Northamptonshire; and IT trainer Anthony Flack from Bristol.

Cordery owned the farm where some of the gang's sex abuse was carried out.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: "This has been a very complex investigation, covering several police force areas. Today's convictions demonstrate the commitment of the Met's paedophile unit to use all audacious and lawful tactics to capture the most dangerous sex offenders and protect the most vulnerable.

"These people were members of a paedophile ring. I believe that they have committed other offences. Anyone who believes they have been a victim is urged to contact police."